Senate Transportation Bill Includes Recreational Trails Program
The transportation bill announced Tuesday
by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and the Senate Environment
and Public Works Committee includes a re-authorization of the
Recreational Trails Program, the American Motorcyclist Association
reports.
The Recreational Trails Program is an $85 million initiative that
funds motorized recreational trails. The program is funded by the
excise tax that off-highway-vehicle users pay
when purchasing fuel for their vehicles.
The RTP was also included in the administration's transportation
proposal, the GROW America Act.
"We are very happy to see the RTP included in the Senate bill,"
said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. "But
we recognize that this represents just one step in the approval
process. And, it is only one of the many proposals we would like to
see included in the final bill."
In addition to reauthorizing the RTP, the AMA seeks an end to
federal funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints; measures that
ensure anti-distracted driving provisions are implemented; language
that includes motorcyclists in vehicle-to-vehicle communication
studies; and formal recognition of the benefits of riding a
motorcycle.
"We hope that the Senate Commerce Committee and the Committee on
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as the House of
Representatives, also recognize the importance of all of these
measures to the future of motorcycling," Allard said. "We look
forward to working with the committees to ensure the motorcycling
community's priorities are met," Allard said.
The AMA thanks Sens. Boxer, David Vitter (R-La.), Tom Carper
(D-Del.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) for their work on the Senate
bill.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
